Isaya Yunge Recalls Hiding Under Bus Seat in Desperate Attempt to Reunite With Mother

Isaya Yunge, the husband of President William Ruto’s daughter Charlene Ruto, has opened up about his difficult childhood, revealing how he was rejected by his father, mistreated by relatives and raised by his grandmother after his parents separated.

Yunge shared the deeply personal experiences during a 2020 interview with YahStoneTown, which has resurfaced following his high-profile marriage to Charlene in Mwanza, Tanzania.

The Tanzanian entrepreneur recalled growing up without the stability of living with his biological parents, explaining that their separation at an early age forced him to move between different homes.

His grandmother eventually took him in and became his primary caregiver in Mwanza. However, life was far from easy, as he was expected to wake up as early as 5am to perform household duties.Among his responsibilities were herding cattle and chasing birds away from farms to protect crops.

Yunge also recalled the emotional pain of being separated from his mother, despite her attempts to maintain contact through occasional visits, clothes and gifts.

On one occasion, his desire to remain with her became so overwhelming that he secretly boarded a bus after she had visited him, hiding underneath a seat in an attempt to follow her.

After eventually getting off the bus, he made his way to his father’s home, hoping to find a place where he could stay.

His father initially welcomed him, but the arrangement reportedly collapsed after his new partner expressed displeasure with Yunge’s presence.

He recalled returning from school one day only to be told that he had to leave the home following pressure from his stepmother.His father subsequently sent him back to his grandmother.

The entrepreneur further disclosed that his experience at his grandmother’s home was also challenging, claiming that an aunt sometimes denied him food.

On one occasion, the aunt reportedly struck his hand when he attempted to reach for a meal.Things later changed when his mother insisted that he move in with her and his stepfather. However, he said he continued experiencing unequal treatment compared to his siblings.

While the other children attended private schools, Yunge claimed he was given demanding household responsibilities.

One of his main duties involved cycling to fetch water from a source approximately 30 minutes away, making repeated trips from morning until evening.

He recalled feeling exploited by the situation, despite living in a household where his stepfather had a steady job.

His story has attracted attention following his marriage to Charlene, with many people now getting a glimpse into the difficult experiences that shaped his early life.

Beyond his personal struggles, Yunge has established himself as a technology entrepreneur and youth advocate through ventures including SomaApps Technologies.

He has also received international recognition, including the Queen’s Young Leaders Award in 2018 and a place on Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 list.

His journey from a difficult childhood to becoming a recognised entrepreneur and joining the Ruto family through marriage has brought renewed attention to his personal story.

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